Recycling Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Ceisteanna (74)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

74. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 14 February 2024 (details supplied), the accessibility of the deposit return scheme; if any disability advocacy organisations were consulted on the accessibility of the deposit return scheme in advance of its roll-out; the formation of the consultative group to ensure concerns are heard and addressed; when this group was formed and how many times it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8679/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Ossian Smyth)

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been in development for a number of years. To inform the design of the scheme, the Department undertook two public consultations, the first in October 2020 and a second in April 2021, which provided all organisations with an opportunity to submit their views to the Department on a how DRS should operate.

As I mentioned in Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 14th February 2024, Re-turn, the DRS operator, continues to engage widely with all stakeholders and has committed to review accessibility practices considering the needs of consumers.

This review includes working with the National Disability Authority. The Authority is supporting Re-turn in the establishment of a consultative group to ensure that the concerns of all parties, in particular those who have difficulties accessing the DRS and in returning bottles and cans, are heard and addressed.

I understand Re-Turn intends to convene the first meeting of this forum in the second half of March and has invited a number of disability organisations to assist in a review of the scheme’s infrastructure.